His Mafia Bride

CRYSTAL

I walked ponderously downstairs, my hands scraping against the walls of the hallway as I reminisced about what happened yesterday evening between I and chase.

I felt my cheeks going beetroot red whenever I remembered how he interlocked his fingers with mine. The feeling was incredible, unrivalled with any sort of emotion.

I totally felt myself relaxing and I allowed his soft touch to soothe and calm my torrentious nerves.

A giggle escaped my lips as my thoughts kept on driving back to chase.

He made me so happy and he had just been here for a day.

I wish he would never go. I just wished.

My flip flops made smacking sounds as they hit the tiled floors which irked me. The imperial living room was as busy as usual.

I held on to the railings of the stair case as I alighted from it.

Workers were cleaning, mopping, vacuuming every nook and cranny even though the house looked spotless. God. Leonardo had truly ignited fear in the minds of all of them.

Even when he was absent, they dared not to slack in their duties.

“Maya Goodmorning”I greeted once I had stepped into the kitchen.

About five cooks were stationed at the kitchen counter, preparing various cuisines.

Leonardo’s kitchen was truly so large. It was as large as a dinning room. A long kitchen table that could probably fit fifteen people stood at the centre of the kitchen.

Various cupboards, kitchen utensils and stools crafted from the finest woods were all placed at different corners of the kitchen.

The sun rays created a cluster of rainbow colours as they hit the marble walls of the kitchen.

“Child how are you?” She chirped happily.

Ever since chase’s visit, Maya had been more happy than usual. I guess he didn’t visit her that often.

She was literally radiating with smiles.

“I’m fine Maya. How was your night?”

She chortled and wiggled her nose. ” Well it was peaceful. I slept like a young child”she responded

I laughed at her reply.

My eyes peeped outside the kitchen, trying to see if I could spot chase in the sea of workers.

He was no where in sight. Strange.

Did he leave already?

My heart sank to my stomach the moment that thought crossed my mind.

“Maya w-wh-where is Chase? He didn’t leave did he?”I questioned with trembling lips.

Maya sighed and shook her head. “He didn’t. He just had to rush to attend to some work issues early this morning”

I sighed in relief and sunken my shoulders.

I didn’t even realise I had been holding my breath.

“Do you miss him?”Maya asked with a mischievous smirk.

My face turned scarlet red and I casted my eyes downwards. “No.. I mean yes. Well.. Maya”I struggled with my words.

I heard Maya laugh and she gave me a pat on my head which made me raise my face to glance at her.

“I see you are two are familiar with each other. It’s nice. Just be careful ok”she advised before leaving the kitchen.

Why was she telling me to be careful?

Was it because of Leonardo?

I shrugged my shoulders and disregarded the thought of having to think of Leonardo.

I was happy already. I wouldn’t spoil my few moments of happiness by thinking of that devil.

* * * * * *

“Crystal there you are!”Chase called out joyfully the moment he spotted me in the library.

I dropped the book I was reading and raised my head to capture his inviting gaze.

He strolled inside and pulled a chair next to me.

“I’ve been looking for you Crystal. I thought you left the mansion”

Well I wish I could leave. I thought to myself.

“When did you come back Chase? Maya said you rushed out for work duties”I asked.

I took a cursory glance at the wall clock. It was half past four pm. I had been so eagerly waiting to see chase.

He made my world filled with light. He brought me out of the pits of darkness that was threatening to sink me into its dangerous and frightening hold.

I needed someone who had an aura of love and light around me.

“I just got back now Crystal”

“So what did you go do? I don’t mean to be prying though”I asked feeling a little nervous.

“I went to drop my letter of resignation”he replied without batting an eyelid at me.

I gasped and pulled my hands over my mouth. What?

“Why would you do that? I thought you loved your job?”

He chuckled heartily.

Chase was an editor for a presscompany. He seemed ok with his job. The pay was good. I sometimes envied him. I sought to get such a job but I was always turned down.

“I feel I’m not utilizing my full abilities. I mean I do love my job but I feel empty. I want to work because I love what I do not just because of the money”he explained.

“Oh”was what I could manage say as I paid rapid attention to him.

“So what do you want to do now?”I queried.

“I want to pursue my writing career. I want to be an author. I want to write novels. I have a whole lot of ideas in my head and I’m dying to begin a new exciting journey”he responded with glee.

My eyes glimmered and I grinned. I loved his high spirits. It was contagious. “Have you applied in any novel company”

He nodded at me. “Ofcourse. I’ve signed a contract with three already. I really feel this is what i should do. I feel this is my calling you know”

I placed my hand on his and softly rubbed his fingers. “Go for it chase. I know you will be a great author”

He looked at me with longing eyes and leaned in closer. “Can I tell you something Crystal? I feel this is the right time”He whispered.

I felt a butterfly havoc in my stomach and my toes curled up in expectation of what he wanted to say.

“You are so hard-working. You are beautiful. You are a good person. You are an angel you know. Ever since you moved into our neighbourhood, I observed how you would go out and hustle to fend for you and your sister. I observed it all. Your late nights coming and your ability to preserver. Crystal you are amazing”he breathed to me.

He grasped hold of my chin to intently stare at him.

I gulped and my body tingled with hopes. A million emotions were being brought to life within me as I and chase stared at each other.

My cheeks were drained of its colours and it took everything for me not to turn my face away.

“Crystal I really admire you. I have admired you for such a long time. When your sister told me of your sudden departure, I felt so sad. But now seeing you here, it’s amazing. Crystal I-i love you deeply”

The bomb had been dropped.

I suddenly lost my voice and I didn’t know what to say. I blinked severally, trying to process what I just heard.

I couldn’t think or even react. Everything was at a stand still for me.

“Crystal I really do love you. And I’ll love if you could be my girlfriend”chase genuinely confessed.

Finally! he asked me out.

I felt fireworks explode in me. My heart raced to its summit and my knees felt wobbly.

He finally asked me out.

But why was I suddenly feeling scared?

I wanted this, or didn’t I?

Chase had his fixed gaze on me, his slender fingers still caressing my chin.

Suddenly he leaned in more closer and locked his lips with mine. Time frozed in a collision of senses the moment his lips met mine.

My lips quivered with each breath I took as chase kissed me deeply. His lips felt so soft and warm against mine. His hand trailed from my chin to my waist, tugging me closer to himself.

My heart skipped a beat and my knees gave in. His fingers moved underneath my shirt, sinking with my skin of its own accord. It trailed towards my back, running along my spine slowly.

I gave out a moan as chase deepened our kiss, our tongue moving in sync.

No, this shouldn’t be happening.

It was what I always wanted so why did this suddenly feel bad.

I placed my hand on his chest and pulled my lips away, breaking our kiss.

His lips travelled to my neck, gently sucking on it.

“Chase please stop”I breathed airily.

“I can’t…”my voice trailed off as I fought to stifle a moan that was threatening to spill out of me.

“What the fuck!”came the exasperated growl that snapped both I and chase out of our romance.

My body jolted as I stared at the dangerous profile of Leonardo who was standing by the doorway of the library.

Oh shit.

Now I’m in trouble.